So who are your round one targets, ie who would you be at least alright with in the first (the prospects I am listing are ones I believe have a shot of being there when the texans come on the clock, in order of preference within position):

WR

Coradelle Patterson
Justin Hunter
Keenan Allen

OT

Menelik Watson

OG

Justin Pugh
Kyle Long

TE

Eiffert
Ertz

DE

Sheldon Richardson (i think he can play de for us)
Datone Jones
Bjoern Werner

there are two guys that i target in this draft, the first being justin hunter. watching him, i see a #1 pro receiver. he has everything i'd want in a wide receiver, with the only knock being potential for injury. given his size and (reported) weight loss for the combine, i'd be pretty confident he could put some weight back on and increase strength without losing any mobility.

the second guy is kyle long. ideal size, strength, and feet ... and a heck of a pedigree. lacks a bit in experience and technique, and may not start right away, but is rated as a first or second rounder for a reason. this is a guy who's going to start for 10+ years for somebody.

They are better than all of the other prospects that will likely be on the board IMO.

I would be happy with Hunter in the first, but then I think Hopkins is solid but just a guy. Hunt is interesting upside off the charts especially if he can start to utilize that weight room strength into playing power.

DT
Sylvester Williams
Jonathan Jenkins
Kawaan Short
Second rounders with Short at the top, followed by Sylvester.
Hankins is a borderline first. Jesse and Short are draws ahead of Sylvester.
Jenkins is at most a third for me, due to weight concern.

Fair enough on the evaluations but the question (again) was who is on YOUR first round board and may (has a decent chance) be available at 27.

The problem is I always find it very difficult to evaluate players without accurate knowledge of the things I want to know.

The first thing is injury.
With Cyprien, for example, I likes his tapes, but when he tested, his forty time and his 20SS time are not to my liking.
Then I read that he had a hamstring issue sometimes around combine time.
Was he fully recover at his pro day? We don't know, because with hamstring, if we recall the situation with AJ in 2011 and JJo in 2012, it's hard to tell how long it lasts and how much it affects the player.
What if I had missed the fact the he was injured and knock him for his speed.
But then again, he might have fully recovered, and what he showed at his pro day are true.

Take another player like Allen who has never been timed in college, when he works out on April 9 (I believe), can we trust that what he shows are true measures of his capability?

A different situation is a guy like Cornellius Washington who had a great combine and pro day, but mediocre tapes. We don't know why without investigating deeply into the matter. I notice that he didn't play much in some games, besides being in a rotation. But what happened to his production last year? It decreased significantly. Besides the sack numbers, the number of QB pressure also dipped from 29 to 13 despite playing 2 more games.
His tackle total were fewer than his back-up who came in early and not just in garbage time. What might be the reason(s)?

Also, as I'be said many times in the past, I'm not comfortable giving opinion on a guy without watching at least 8 games against good opponents (preferrably - otherwise, I will have to project - or discount a certain game altogether.)

The last few years, I concentrated mostly on the receivers, looking to find a replacement for AJ and Walter/Jones.

It's a position I have the most knowledge of (but still lacking information about injury among other things.)

With that base, I don't have to spend as much time on them this year so I was able to watch the safeties and a few CBs.

By watching the receivers, I was also able to learn about the QBs.

Those are the positions I feel most comfortable with, but when you ask me about other guys, I don't know that much except for a few guys I think the Texans might draft (but I still don't watch enough tapes to really "rank" them.)

For example, I still don't know if I prefer Hankins, Short, Jesse, or Williams.
There's still some time left though.

Man you must be allergic to answering a question, are you bychance a doctor, attorney or insurance adjuster?

76 is damn thorough. Turned into a fine scout for us as well if you ask me. Really enjoy reading his work. I would appreciate making a stance or taking a position on specific player which is probably jest of your frustration.

As you've likely noticed it's real hard to find actual scouts write ups. Which is an excellent reason to visit our site, not that we're actual scouts or have even fraction of much needed but privileged info- that sells for good money. 65 is another poster here with natural eye for talent, but only gives you brief glimpses into prospects largely due to personal time constraints.

I've just posted my personal mock & have Texans selecting Alec Ogeltree, ILB. Not only does he have unlimited ceiling his character issues would be a thing of his past in Texan locker room. Talk about Ed Reed grooming a young safety prospect what about Cushing helping this young man? Or JJ Watt doing similar, we have great players in virtually every position that if a young man has the talent & desire he will succeed here. Really can't ask more than that but I do feel now more than ever we have that opportunity to take best playmaker available @ position of need & mold his natural talent into something really special.

Almost none of OPs. Mine would have to be those that have actually been mocked by a reasonable source as being there #27. Keenan Allen, Hopkins, Robert Woods, Terrence Williams, J. Hankins, Jesse Williams, Kawann Short, Banks, Amerson, Damontre Moore, Sam Montgomery, Ogletree, Te'o, Minter and Eiffert. Any would be okay and I would probably be stunned but okay if they selected QB Tyler Wilson there. First round will get us a good guy but after that it gets uch harder.

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I want to be able to recognize the difference between a "want" and a "need" and then I want to be satisfied with getting a need

There's very little talk here (site wise) of Patterson. Is that because no one thinks he will be available to us?

That's the reason. And it's a good reason. He could go as early as #8 to the Bills and as late as #25 to the Vikings, with 7 other teams possible in between. My guess is that San Diego can't get one of the top 3 LTs at #11, and Mike McCoy goes for the Demaryius Thomas type WR he needs for his offense.

That's the reason. And it's a good reason. He could go as early as #8 to the Bills and as late as #25 to the Vikings, with 7 other teams possible in between. My guess is that San Diego can't get one of the top 3 LTs at #11, and Mike McCoy goes for the Demaryius Thomas type WR he needs for his offense.